Saturday, September 30, 2006

Coyote Sightings

No, not the hockey team. Real coyotes making even more inroads into the suburbs. From Channel 7 News:

A coyote attacked a pet in the western suburbs last week. The dog had to be euthanized because of the mauling. Officials say coyote sightings in that area are on the rise. The dog was attacked in the backyard of the family's home in suburban Glen Ellyn.

Police are exploring all options in trying to control the animals, including trapping them and taking them out to the forest. But wildlife experts say, even in the suburbs and parts of the city, coyotes are here to stay.

If you see a coyote, police say you should call 9-1-1. Never approach the animals or try to feed them and keep your pet food inside. Coyote attacks on humans are extremely rare, but you still have to be careful. They look approachable but these are wild animals.

These sightings are becoming more and more common throughout the city. Up north, there was a coyote running around a local high school. The Marine Unit was chasing a number of coyotes around the water filtration plant a year or two ago. And we've met cops who swear they've seen coyotes trotting down Michigan Avenue from the Metra electric tracks that come up from Indiana.

Tiny little bit of news for the earthy crunchy crowd that thinks we just need to find some way to co-exist with the coyotes so everything turns out all right - hahahahahaha. You want to control coyotes? You kill them - plain and simple. Same thing with mountain lions, wolves, and most other large predators who sit atop the food pyramid. You don't co-exist with them. It isn't possible.

I've had one or two of them face me down from 20-25 feet away on my early morning walks. Very unsettling. Just stood there in all its furry arrogance and looked at me like "yeah, babe, right here, come to Daddy for breakfast."

Of course we can co-exist with wildlife! We do anyway, whether we want to or not. Deer are plentiful, as are now GEESE. It is likely that the population explosion among those two animal groups that has brought more numerous citings of coyotes to the Chicago area. The Geese are a nuisance, and their droppings, along with those of the gulls, are dumping loads of e-coli into our beaches (this is the same e-coli recently found in spinach). Coyotes won't be going away anytime soon. increased numbers in one species of animal usually creates an increase in the creatures that feed on them (we've also had an explosion of rabbits in the area, particularly Grant Park; rabbits are another staple of coyotes!!) Like it or not, deal with it. For those of you with those "cute" toy dogs, don't leave them in the back yard!

Maybe they should trap the coyotes and let them loose in Mont Clair/Galewood. They could feast on all the bunny rabbits we have here ever since they were cleared out of Millenimum Park (soon to be known as Richard M. Daley Park) because they were feeding on Hizonor's Laurel Bushes. They were dumped in the forest preserves, but not far enough.

Out south I have seen them on Rt 171 VERY EARLY A.M. when I have been heading through Willow Springs area on the overpass where Rt 45 and the 294 entrance is. They walk quickly across the roadway there so probably a nest nearby...or whatever they call a place where coyotes hang their claws. I have also seen them "under the canopy" of trees lining both sides of he road on 171 near Rt83/171 in Lemont. That forest preserve area along 171 has way too many deer......another nuisance. But, when I head out that way to visit the kids I now see coyotes at dusk on the side of the road, peering at oncoming traffic. Nothin a good ASP kicking wouldn't cure if they got too close for comfort.

You know, maybe that is why beat 812 (or maybe the same two in 813) are in Summit all the time on 1st watch. Defending our western border from coyotes?.... Get those boys in for a citation before Chuck Gowdy or the feds get them.

My partner and I saw one at the corner of Cortland and Elston in 014 earlier this year. It was like 2-3am and there was no traffic. We figured it must of either came this far into the city by using the Metra tracks or walking along the Chicago river..... we have also had deer near North and Elston 2 years ago.

Anyways, this bastard was big. It started running when I shined the spot light on him. Chased him around a couple blocks back towards the river but he doubled back on me and ran to the same corner I saw him. He then ran south bound on Elston.... right down the middle following the yellow line. I was right on his ass when I looked down at the speedometer.... 40mph!!!He ended up running into a parking lot and back up onto the Metra tracks. We saw where he went cuz he kept loooking at us as he ran, probably cursing us out. He was hard to miss since his eyes glowed green from my spotlight.

Saw one in Norwood Park last summer by the pool during a lite night stroll with the misses. It stayed away from us, but I was glad I had my gun in case. Probably out chasing wabbits since we have lots around here.

They're around 016 near all the forest preserves...saw one crossing around dusk around Central/Devon....also seen one running straight down the middle of a side street at dusk. Could almost pass for a mangy german shepherd, but once you see it up close they're kinda creepy. They look for rodents, small deer, rabbits, etc., and really don't bother anyone...but I would keep an eye out on my small dog out in the yard. I have two large mix breeds and don't think they would attempt to challege them.

Me and my partner saw TWO of them running together. ......"fearing for our lives [thank-you Pat Camden] we shot them both."Later, we found one to have a B.B. pistol and the other a radio face-plate on their pelts.

LESSON: Two or four legged dog 'look-a-likes', DONT FUCK WITH THE CHICAGO POLICE!